Assam’s Identity War: CM Sarma Ruthless Eviction Blitz Sparks Political Firestorm Over ‘Religious Invasion’

1. CM Sarma Ruthless Eviction Drive: Reclaiming Land or Redefining Identity?

Sarma Ruthless Eviction – On July 15, 2025, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that his government had successfully cleared 160 square kilometers of forest and government land from what he termed “illegal settlers”. The reclaimed area surpasses the size of Chandigarh and covers nearly 75% of Guwahati’s total area.

Key claims by Sarma:

• Evictions targeted migrant Muslims, accused of altering district demographics
• Over 1.19 lakh bighas cleared since May 2021
• Drives conducted in Goalpara, Dhubri, Lakhimpur, and other districts

Sarma framed the initiative as a mission to protect jati-mati-bheti (identity, land, and homeland), asserting that the settlers aimed to become political forces by changing voter demographics.

2. Political Fallout: CPM, Jamiat, and Civil Society Push Back

The eviction drives have triggered a political storm. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized protests in Goalpara, accusing the BJP government of acting in the interest of corporates and against citizens. Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind condemned the demolitions, calling them “painful” and demanding shelter for the displaced.

Opposition concerns:

• Alleged targeting of Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants
• Evictions conducted without rehabilitation plans
• Accusations of electoral manipulation through voter roll deletions

Jamiat leaders visited affected areas, including Hahilabil and Ashudubi, where over 4,000 homes were reportedly demolished. The group warned that such actions could deepen communal divides and violate human rights.

3. Demographic Shift or Political Strategy?

Sarma’s rhetoric has escalated, describing the situation as “not just land jihad but a jihad to finish Assam”. He claims that settlers relocate to new districts to alter constituency demographics, eventually becoming vote banks that resist eviction.

Key points:

• Evictees allegedly own land in native districts but migrate to encroach elsewhere
• Voter roll manipulation cited as a tool for demographic change
• Sarma blames Congress for encouraging encroachments to boost votes

Despite criticism, Sarma insists that the evictions are necessary to preserve Assamese identity, restore forest habitats, and prevent future demographic shifts in Upper Assam.

4. Legal, Ethical, and Electoral Implications

The legal, ethical, and electoral implications of Assam’s eviction drives under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma are profound and deeply contested. Legally, critics argue that the use of summary eviction procedures under Rule 18 of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. Although the Gauhati High Court previously ruled this procedure unconstitutional, the state amended the regulation to shield itself from judicial scrutiny. This has raised alarms about executive overreach and the erosion of due process.

Ethically, the evictions often targeting Bengali-origin Muslims have been condemned for lacking rehabilitation plans, violating the right to property under Article 300-A, and ignoring the principles of natural justice. Many displaced families, victims of river erosion and historical migration, are now homeless and face citizenship doubts, further marginalizing them.

The scale and tone of the eviction drives raise serious questions:

• Are these actions legally sound under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act?
• Is the National Register of Citizens (NRC) being used effectively to identify illegal settlers?
• What safeguards exist to prevent communal profiling and ensure due process?

Sarma acknowledged that voter list revisions and NRC updates may not be sufficient, citing lack of government mechanisms in certain districts. He emphasized the need for a strong government and decisive action to “save Assam”.

Meanwhile, civil society groups and legal experts warn that:

• Evictions without rehabilitation violate constitutional rights
• Targeting one religious group could lead to judicial intervention
• Electoral roll deletions may disenfranchise legitimate voters

Final Thoughts

Assam’s eviction saga is more than a land dispute, it’s a collision of identity, politics, and governance. CM Sarma’s aggressive stance has polarized public opinion, with supporters hailing it as a bold move to protect indigenous rights, and critics decrying it as communal targeting.

As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, this issue could redefine Assam’s political landscape. Whether viewed as a defensive strategy or a divisive campaign, one thing is clear: the battle for Assam’s soul is underway.

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